REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Longer length adds coverage
Mesh lining
REASONS TO AVOID
Limited waterproofing
Fit is off
No pit vents
Velcro catches long hair
Columbia Hikebound II Long Review
Columbia took a stab at a stylish trench, but we found the sizing off and that it had limited comfort, breathability, and water resistance
Credit: Trish Matheny
By Trish Matheny ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 29, 2026
RELATED: The Best Rain Jackets for Women
Our Verdict
The Columbia Hikebound II Long is a trench-style jacket best suited to low-key days of running errands around town in light to moderate rain. We like that the mesh lining keeps the jacket from feeling plasticky and sticking to skin, especially when it's hot and humid out, but the lack of pit ventilation prevents airflow on the interior of the design. Still, the fabric is loud and not our favorite to wear, and it also lacks enough water resistance for heavy-duty and extended storms. It's also heavier and bulkier than many other jackets we tested, making it more difficult to pack for trips. Overall, we think there are better rain jackets out there at this price point.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Columbia Hikebound II Long | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Bang for the Buck | Budget Pick for Active Use | |||
| Price | $100 List Check Backcountry (on sale!) | $140 List Check Price at Backcountry | $135 List Check Price at Backcountry | $100 List Check REI (on sale!) | $130 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | An affordable design with a longer cut that’s best-suited for days around town rather than serious adventures | An affordable jacket that’s comfortable enough to wear all day, yet provides enough technical performance features for active pursuits during moderate precipitation | A reliable rain jacket that offers great value and solid performance at a reasonable price | Although affordable, this jacket still includes pit vents for better airflow along with the ability to stow into its own pocket for increased packability | A highly wind and waterproof design that is perfect for urban commutes or low-output chores during inclement weather |
| Rating Categories | Columbia Hikebound I... | Rab Downpour | Marmot PreCip Eco | REI Co-op Rainier | Helly Hansen Moss |
| Water Resistance (45%) | |||||
| Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Comfort and Mobility (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Columbia Hikebound I... | Rab Downpour | Marmot PreCip Eco | REI Co-op Rainier | Helly Hansen Moss |
| Material and Waterproof Membrane | Omni-Tech, 100% Polyester Outer Shell | 2.5-layer 50D Pertex Shield Revolve with a PFC-free DWR finish | 2.5-layer PFC-free NanoPro | 2.5-layer HydroWall with non-PFC DWR finish | 100% polyurethane |
| Measured Weight (Size Small) | 17.57 oz | 12 oz | 9.0 oz | 10.2 oz | 24.3 oz |
| Pockets | 2 zippered hand pockets and one hidden chest pocket | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand, 2 interior drop-in | 2 hand with button closure |
| Pit Zips | No | Yes, 14 inches | Yes, 10 inches | Yes, 10 inches | No |
| Helmet Compatible Hood | No | No | No | No | No |
| Stows into Pocket | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Carabiner Loop in Stow Pocket | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Hipbelt Friendly Hand Pockets | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Additional Features | Drawcord-adjustable hood seals out the elements, Front closure with flap cover, Drawcord-adjustable waist and adjustable cuffs secure the fit |
Dual adjustable hood, brushed tricot chin guard, zipper storm guards, adjustable Velcro cuffs, drawcord hem | Adjustable stowable hood, DriClime-lined chin guard, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem | Adjustable hood, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem, brushed collar lining | Back yoke with ventilation holes, front placket with hidden snap button closure and YKK zipper, welded waterproof seams |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Likes
Our testers were quick to point out the flaws in this jacket, while they had to dig a little deeper to find positives. For around-town wear, it's decently comfortable, and we appreciate the extra coverage offered by the longer hemline. The cinched waist also adds a touch of style.
Although the trench style design is a little more fashionable and adds more coverage, this jacket lacks key design features that make it difficult to recommend, despite its affordable price. Credit: Trish Matheny
The Hikebound II doesn't hold a candle to our top performers when it comes to overall comfort and mobility; it's just kind of average. We found the jacket true to size, although those with athletic bodies may want to size up in order to improve mobility in the shoulders.
The mesh lining keeps the jacket away from your skin when you're wearing it in hot temperatures, which is a plus.
The fabric is loud and stiff, which makes it uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. The interface at the chin is okay in the short term, but it begins to rub throughout the day. Credit: Trish Matheny
Dislikes
The Hikebound II doesn't have pit zips for ventilation, a feature we really love to have in a rain jacket to increase airflow when we start to get sweaty.
It didn't take long for water to penetrate the outer shell of the Hikebound II. During our field testing in a light rain, the jacket performed decently without any leaks. However, during our controlled testing with sustained water pressure in the shower and during our objective pour tests, the fabric began to wet out and also leak into the pockets and neckline.
The main zipper is dual-sided but not watertight, and the zippers on the hand pockets use less effective storm flaps rather than watertight zippers.
The water resistance and breathability of this design were limited. We don't recommend it beyond errands or short dog walks in drizzly conditions.
Should You Buy the Columbia Hikebound II Long?
The Hikebound II is fairly affordable, but we tested other jackets in this price range that we'd recommend over this one. We'll give Columbia some credit for an attempt at a stylish look with more coverage, but it lacks good water resistance and breathability for outdoor activities beyond running errands around town on rainy days. The fit is off, the material is loud, and the details lack quality. See our recommendations below for better jackets around a similar price.
What Other Women's Rain Jackets Should You Consider?
Although the Hikebound II has some positive design features and attributes, we think options like the Marmot PreCip Eco are a much better choice for ladies after performance on a budget. It doesn't feature the longer length, but it's around a similar price and includes pit vents along with mesh lining to up the breathability for use in humid climates. If the trench style look is what you're after, we love the Kuhl Stretch Voyagr Trench when it comes to style and performance (though you'll pay more for it than the Columbia). It's also more flattering, features a longer length for better coverage, and the four way stretch makes it easy to wear. The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is what we'd recommend for those after the best overall performance, whether you're running errands around town or want something for the trails, the Torrentshell strikes a nice balance on performance at a more affordable price.
This is one of the heavier and bulkier designs that we tested, making it difficult to travel with as it requires more space and weight inside your checked bag. Credit: Trish Matheny
—Trish Matheny
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